Paris–Nice facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Paris–Nice

2025 Paris–Nice
Race details
Date	March
Region	France
Nickname(s)	La course au soleil The Race to the Sun
Discipline	Road
Competition	UCI World Tour
Type	Major one week stage race
Organiser	Amaury Sport Organisation
Race director	Christian Prudhomme
History
First edition	1933 (1933)
Editions	83 (as of 2025)
First winner	Alphonse Schepers (BEL)
Most wins	Sean Kelly (IRL) (7 wins)
Most recent	Matteo Jorgenson (USA)

The Paris–Nice is a super exciting bike race that happens every year in France. It's a "stage race," which means it's not just one long ride, but several shorter races (stages) over about eight days. The race usually begins near Paris, where it might be cold, and finishes in the sunny city of Nice on the Mediterranean coast. That's why it's often called The Race to the Sun!

This race is a big deal in the world of cycling. It's part of the UCI World Tour, which is like the top league for bike racing. Many famous cyclists have won Paris–Nice, including Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx, and Laurent Jalabert. The rider who has won it the most times is Sean Kelly from Ireland, who won it seven times in a row in the 1980s!

A very important rule in cycling came from this race. In 2003, a rider named Andrey Kivilev had a serious accident and sadly passed away. He wasn't wearing a helmet at the time. Because of this, the main cycling organization, UCI, made a rule that all riders must wear helmets during races. This rule helps keep cyclists much safer.

History of the Race to the Sun

How Paris–Nice Started

The route of the very first Paris–Nice race in 1933.

The Paris–Nice race began in 1933. A newspaper owner named Albert Lejeune created it to help promote his newspapers in Paris and Nice. The idea was to connect the French capital city with the beautiful seaside city of Nice. It was held in March, right after winter, making it one of the first big bike races of the year in France.

The first race had six stages and was called Les Six Jours de la Route (which means "Six Days of the Road"). The first stage was super long, about 312 kilometers! Since it was early in the year, the route avoided the big mountains like the Alps. The first winner was Alphonse Schepers from Belgium. He wore the leader's jersey from start to finish!

The race was very popular and happened every year until 1939. It stopped during World War II. After the war, it came back for a short time in 1946 but then stopped again until 1951.

The Race Gets Revived

In 1951, the mayor of Nice, Jean Medecin, brought the race back. He wanted to encourage more people to visit Nice and the Côte d'Azur. At first, it was called Paris-Côte d'Azur, but in 1954, it went back to being called Paris–Nice.

The race became more and more important in the 1950s. It wasn't just a practice race anymore; it was a major event. Famous riders like Louison Bobet and Jacques Anquetil started winning it. In 1957, a journalist named Jean Leulliot took over organizing the race.

Jacques Anquetil won Paris–Nice five times!

In 1959, they tried a super long race called Paris–Nice–Rome, but it was too long and didn't happen again. In 1966, there was an amazing rivalry between two French cycling legends, Jacques Anquetil and Raymond Poulidor. Anquetil won his fifth and final Paris–Nice that year.

In 1969, the final stage moved to the top of the Col d'Èze, a hill overlooking Nice. Young Eddy Merckx won the time trial there and started a streak of three wins in a row. Raymond Poulidor finally won in 1972 and 1973, beating Merckx!

In the 1980s, Sean Kelly from Ireland became the "King of Paris–Nice," winning it seven times in a row from 1981 to 1988. That's still the record today! Other great riders like Miguel Induráin and Laurent Jalabert also won in the 1990s. In 2002, the company ASO, which also organizes the Tour de France, took over the race.

Paris–Nice in the World Tour

Davide Rebellin climbing the Col d'Èze in 2008.

The 2003 race was a sad one because of the accident involving Andrei Kivilev. His friend Alexander Vinokourov won a stage a few days later, holding a picture of Kivilev.

In 2005, Paris–Nice became part of the new UCI Pro Tour. There was a disagreement between cycling organizations in 2008, but it was sorted out. Since 2011, Paris–Nice has been the first big European stage race of the UCI World Tour season.

In 2012, Bradley Wiggins from England won the race. He was one of many riders who won Paris–Nice before also winning the Tour de France. More recently, riders like Alberto Contador and Richie Porte have won the race twice.

The 2020 Paris–Nice was one of the last big sports events in France before the global health situation caused many events to stop. The race was shortened, and German rider Max Schachmann won it.

The Race Route

The route of the 2015 Paris–Nice race.

The Paris–Nice race usually follows a similar path each year. It starts on a Sunday, often with a short time trial near Paris. Then, riders cycle south across France. The early stages are usually flat, which is good for fast sprinters. As the race moves south towards the Provence region, the stages become hillier and more challenging. These hilly stages are often where the race is decided.

The final stage on Sunday is either a regular road race ending on Nice's famous Promenade des Anglais or an uphill time trial on the Col d'Èze. The Col d'Èze is a climb that goes up to 507 meters high. Because riders need to be good at both time trials and climbing, Paris–Nice is often called a "mini-Tour de France."

Sometimes, the race route changes a bit. For example, the 2014 race didn't have any time trials or mountain-top finishes. But usually, it sticks to its traditional format.

Where the Race Starts

Until 1962, the race always started right in the city of Paris. But since 1963, it usually starts in smaller towns or suburbs near Paris. Sometimes, it even starts a bit further away. In 1982, the race started in Belgium, which was the only time it began outside France! The last time Paris–Nice started in Paris itself was in 2000.

Where the Race Finishes

Paris–Nice often finishes on the beautiful Promenade des Anglais in Nice.

Paris–Nice has always finished in Nice. For many years, it finished on the Quai des États-Unis or the famous Promenade des Anglais. From 1969 to 1995, the race often ended with a time trial up the Col d'Èze hill. This climb is about 9 kilometers long. Sean Kelly won the Col d'Èze time trial five times during his winning streak!

In 1996, the finish moved back to the Promenade des Anglais so more fans could watch. In recent years, the race often returns to a final time trial on the Col d'Èze. In 2012, Bradley Wiggins set a new record for climbing the Col d'Èze in just 19 minutes and 12 seconds!

In the 2025 Paris–Nice, Matteo Jorgenson had an amazing performance on the Col d'Èze. He left all his competitors behind while wearing the yellow jersey, which helped him win the whole race. The Col d'Èze is still a very important and challenging part of the "Race to the Sun."

Jersey Colours

Clément Lhotellerie wearing the polka dot jersey in the 2008 race.

Just like in other big bike races, the leaders in Paris–Nice wear special jerseys.

• Overall Leader: Since 2008, the rider leading the whole race wears a yellow jersey. This is similar to the famous yellow jersey in the Tour de France. In the past, the leader's jersey was blue and gold, green, or white.
• Points Leader: The rider who earns the most points (usually by finishing well in stages) wears a green jersey since 2008.
• King of the Mountains: The best climber wears a white jersey with red polka dots. This is also like the Tour de France! This jersey has changed colors many times over the years.
• Best Young Rider: This jersey is for the best rider under a certain age. It has been white since 2007.

Winners of Paris–Nice

Sean Kelly won Paris–Nice seven times in a row!

Here are some of the amazing riders who have won the Paris–Nice race:

		Rider	Team
1933		Schepers, AlphonseAlphonse Schepers		La Française
1934		Rebry, GastonGaston Rebry		Alycon
1935		Vietto, ReneRené Vietto		Helyett–Hutchinson
1936		Archambaud, MauriceMaurice Archambaud		Mercier–Hutchinson
1937		Lapebie, RogerRoger Lapébie		Mercier–Hutchinson
1938		Lowie, JulesJules Lowie		Pélissier-Mercier–Hutchinson
1939		Archambaud, MauriceMaurice Archambaud		Mercier–Hutchinson
1946		Camellini, FermoFermo Camellini		Olmo
1951		Decock, RogerRoger Decock		Bertin
1952		Bobet, LouisonLouison Bobet		Stella-Huret
1953		Munch, Jean-PierreJean-Pierre Munch		Arliguie–Hutchinson
1954		Impanis, RaymondRaymond Impanis		Mercier–BP–Hutchinson
1955		Bobet, JeanJean Bobet		L. Bobet–BP–Hutchinson
1956		Bruyne, Fred DeFred De Bruyne		Mercier–BP–Hutchinson
1957		Anquetil, JacquesJacques Anquetil		Helyett
1958		Bruyne, Fred DeFred De Bruyne		Carpano
1959		Graczyck, JeanJean Graczyck		Helyett
1960		Impanis, RaymondRaymond Impanis		Faema
1961		Anquetil, JacquesJacques Anquetil		Helyett–Fynsec
1962		Planckaert, JosephJoseph Planckaert		Flandria–Faema
1963		Anquetil, JacquesJacques Anquetil		St.Raphael–Gitane
1964		Janssen, JanJan Janssen		Pelforth–Sauvage
1965		Anquetil, JacquesJacques Anquetil		Ford–Gitane
1966		Anquetil, JacquesJacques Anquetil		Ford–Hutchinson
1967		Simpson, TomTom Simpson		Peugeot–BP–Michelin
1968		Wolfshohl, RolfRolf Wolfshohl		Bic
1969		Merckx, EddyEddy Merckx		Faema
1970		Merckx, EddyEddy Merckx		Faemino
1971		Merckx, EddyEddy Merckx		Molteni
1972		Poulidor, RaymondRaymond Poulidor		Gan–Mercier–Hutchinson
1973		Poulidor, RaymondRaymond Poulidor		Gan–Mercier–Hutchinson
1974		Zoetemelk, JoopJoop Zoetemelk		Gan–Mercier–Hutchinson
1975		Zoetemelk, JoopJoop Zoetemelk		Gan–Mercier–Hutchinson
1976		Laurent, MichelMichel Laurent		Miko–de Gribaldy
1977		Maertens, FreddyFreddy Maertens		Flandria–Faema
1978		Knetemann, GerrieGerrie Knetemann		TI–Raleigh–McGregor
1979		Zoetemelk, JoopJoop Zoetemelk		Miko–Mercier
1980		Duclos-Lassalle, GilbertGilbert Duclos-Lassalle		Peugeot–Esso–Michelin
1981		Roche, StephenStephen Roche		Peugeot–Esso–Michelin
1982		Kelly, SeanSean Kelly		Sem–France Loire
1983		Kelly, SeanSean Kelly		Sem–France Loire
1984		Kelly, SeanSean Kelly		Skil–Sem–Reydel
1985		Kelly, SeanSean Kelly		Skil–Sem–Reydel
1986		Kelly, SeanSean Kelly		Kas–Mavic
1987		Kelly, SeanSean Kelly		Kas
1988		Kelly, SeanSean Kelly		Kas–Mavic
1989		Induráin, MiguelMiguel Induráin		Reynolds
1990		Induráin, MiguelMiguel Induráin		Banesto
1991		Rominger, TonyTony Rominger		Toshiba
1992		Bernard, Jean-FrançoisJean-François Bernard		Banesto
1993		Zulle, AlexAlex Zülle		ONCE
1994		Rominger, TonyTony Rominger		Mapei–CLAS
1995		Jalabert, LaurentLaurent Jalabert		ONCE
1996		Jalabert, LaurentLaurent Jalabert		ONCE
1997		Jalabert, LaurentLaurent Jalabert		ONCE
1998		Vandenbroucke, FrankFrank Vandenbroucke		Mapei–Bricobi
1999		Boogerd, MichaelMichael Boogerd		Rabobank
2000		Kloden, AndreasAndreas Klöden		Team Telekom
2001		Frigo, DarioDario Frigo		Fassa Bortolo
2002		Vinokourov, AlexandreAlexandre Vinokourov		Team Telekom
2003		Vinokourov, AlexandreAlexandre Vinokourov		Team Telekom
2004		Jaksche, JorgJörg Jaksche		Team CSC
2005		Julich, BobbyBobby Julich		Team CSC
2006		Landis, FloydFloyd Landis		Phonak
2007		Contador, AlbertoAlberto Contador		Discovery Channel
2008		Rebellin, DavideDavide Rebellin		Gerolsteiner
2009		Sanchez, Luis LeonLuis León Sánchez		Caisse d'Epargne
2010		Contador, AlbertoAlberto Contador		Astana
2011		Martin, TonyTony Martin		HTC–Highroad
2012		Wiggins, BradleyBradley Wiggins		Team Sky
2013		Porte, RichieRichie Porte		Team Sky
2014		Betancur, CarlosCarlos Betancur		Ag2r–La Mondiale
2015		Porte, RichieRichie Porte		Team Sky
2016		Thomas, GeraintGeraint Thomas		Team Sky
2017		Henao, SergioSergio Henao		Team Sky
2018		Soler, MarcMarc Soler		Movistar Team
2019		Bernal, EganEgan Bernal		Team Sky
2020		Schachmann, MaximilianMaximilian Schachmann		Bora–Hansgrohe
2021		Schachmann, MaximilianMaximilian Schachmann		Bora–Hansgrohe
2022		Roglič, PrimožPrimož Roglič		Team Jumbo–Visma
2023		Pogačar, TadejTadej Pogačar		UAE Team Emirates
2024		Jorgenson, MatteoMatteo Jorgenson		Visma–Lease a Bike
2025		Jorgenson, MatteoMatteo Jorgenson		{{{team name-2025}}}

Riders with Multiple Wins

Some riders have won Paris–Nice more than once:

Wins	Rider	Editions
7	Seán Kelly	1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988
5	Jacques Anquetil	1957, 1961, 1963, 1965, 1966
3	Eddy Merckx	1969, 1970, 1971
	Joop Zoetemelk	1974, 1975, 1979
	Laurent Jalabert	1995, 1996, 1997
2	Maurice Archambaud	1936, 1939
	Raymond Impanis	1954, 1960
	Fred De Bruyne	1956, 1958
	Raymond Poulidor	1972, 1973
	Miguel Induráin	1989, 1990
	Tony Rominger	1991, 1994
	Alexander Vinokourov	2002, 2003
	Alberto Contador	2007, 2010
	Richie Porte	2013, 2015
	Maximilian Schachmann	2020, 2021
	Matteo Jorgenson	2024, 2025

Wins by Country

Here's how many times riders from different countries have won Paris–Nice:

Wins	Country
21	France
14	Belgium
8	Ireland
6	Germany (including  West Germany)  Netherlands  Spain
4	United States
3	Colombia  Great Britain  Italy  Switzerland
2	Australia  Kazakhstan  Slovenia

Fun Facts About Paris–Nice

• The youngest rider to win Paris–Nice was René Vietto in 1935. He was only 21 years old!
• The oldest winner was Raymond Poulidor in 1973, who was 37.
• France has the most wins as a country, but no French rider has won since Laurent Jalabert in 1997.
• Many Paris–Nice winners have also won the Tour de France, which is the biggest bike race in the world! These include Louison Bobet, Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx, Miguel Induráin, Bradley Wiggins, and Tadej Pogačar.

Fun Facts About Paris–Nice

• The youngest rider to win Paris–Nice was René Vietto in 1935. He was only 21 years old!
• The oldest winner was Raymond Poulidor in 1973, who was 37.
• France has the most wins as a country, but no French rider has won since Laurent Jalabert in 1997.
• Twelve winners of Paris–Nice have also won the famous Tour de France in their careers! This includes cycling legends like Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx, and Miguel Induráin.

See also

In Spanish: París-Niza para niños